System for opening and closing a resealable cartridge

ABSTRACT

A system for opening and closing a resealable cartridge having a tray and a flexible cover resealably engaged with the tray. The system comprises: a base for receiving the tray of the cartridge; a roller shaft having means for engaging the cover of the cartridge; positioning means operably connected to the roller shaft to affect positioning of the roller shaft relative to the cartridge between a first position wherein the roller shaft is spaced from the cartridge and a second position different from the first position wherein the roller shaft is not spaced from the cartridge; and a motor for rotating the roller shaft in a first rotational direction to wind the cover about the roller shaft, thereby removing at least a portion of the cover from the tray, and for rotating the roller shaft in a second rotational direction to unwind the cover from the roller shaft thereby resealably engaging the cover with the tray.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to resealable cartridges, and moreparticularly, to a system for opening and closing a resealablecartridge.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Resealable cartridges have been employed in various applications fortransporting articles. Such resealable cartridges are desirablefeatures, including preventing exposure of the transported articles toenvironmental elements. For example, laser imaging machines useresealable cartridges to transport photosensitive media, such as x-rayand other types of medical imaging photographic film, since it issometimes necessary to load a laser imaging machine with a differenttype or size of photosensitive media. Such laser imaging machines arewell known in the art for forming an image by scanning a modulated laserbeam across the photosensitive media. Prior to the formation of theimage, a cartridge containing one or more photosensitive media is loadedinto the laser imaging machine. The cartridge includes a tray having asupply area for containing the photosensitive media, a media accessopening, and a flexible cover adhesively attached to tray to extend overthe media access opening to form a light-tight seal of the cartridge.The light-tight seal enables the cartridge to be transported in lightconditions that would otherwise cause exposure of the photosensitivemedia within the cartridge. U.S. Pat. No. 5,132,724 (Lemberger), U.S.Pat. No. 5,473,400 (Lemberger), and U.S. Pat. No. 5,480,134 (Weber) showexamples of a resealable cartridge, each of these being incorporatedherein by reference.

The interior of a laser imaging machine provides a light-tightenvironment. To carry out an imaging operation, the laser imagingmachine withdraws one or more photosensitive media from the accessopening of the cartridge. Therefore, the laser imaging machine requiresa system that can open the cartridge within the laser imaging machine toallow withdrawal of the photosensitive media from the access opening,and close/reseal the cartridge within the laser imaging machine toeffect the light-light seal. In the ordinary course of use, thecartridge must be opened and closed several times.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,132,724 (Lemberger) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,480,134 (Weber)show examples of mechanisms for opening and closing a resealable mediacartridge. While such systems may have achieved certain degrees ofsuccess in their particular applications, they employ a relativelycomplicated mechanism that can be expensive to manufacture and haveother disadvantages.

Accordingly, there is a need for a system which is capable of reliablyperforming the opening/closing functions, commercially viable, reducedin size, provides good resealing, and efficiently manufacturable.

The present invention provides a system for opening and closing aresealable cartridge which is capable of reliably performing theopening/closing functions, commercially viable, reduced in size,provides good resealing, and efficiently manufacturable.

In addition, wrinkles in the cartridge cover can occur while closing,and such wrinkles can decrease the usable life of the cartridge. Inaddition to wrinkles, laser imaging machines which use high sealingforces tend to displace the cover adhesive. The present inventionincreases the usable life of the cartridge by reducing/eliminating bothwrinkles and displaced cover adhesive.

Additional features and advantages of the present invention will be setforth in part in the description that follows, and in part will beapparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of theinvention. The advantages of the invention will be realized and attainedby the system particularly pointed out in the written description andclaims thereof, as well as in the appended drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a system for openingand closing a resealable cartridge.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such a systemwhich is capable of reliably performing the opening/closing functions.

A further object of the present invention is to provide such a systemwhich is commercially viable, reduced in size, provides good resealing,and efficiently manufacturable.

These objects are given only by way of illustrative example, and suchobjects may be exemplary of one or more embodiments of the invention.Other desirable objectives and advantages inherently achieved by thedisclosed invention may occur or become apparent to those skilled in theart. The invention is defined by the appended claims.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a system foropening and closing a resealable cartridge having a tray and a flexiblecover resealably engaged with the tray. The system comprises: a base forreceiving the tray of the cartridge; a roller shaft having means forengaging the cover of the cartridge; positioning means operablyconnected to the roller shaft to affect positioning of the roller shaftrelative to the cartridge between a first position wherein the rollershaft is spaced from the cartridge and a second position different fromthe first position wherein the roller shaft is not spaced from thecartridge; and a motor for rotating the roller shaft in a firstrotational direction to wind the cover about the roller shaft, therebyremoving at least a portion of the cover from the tray, and for rotatingthe roller shaft in a second rotational direction to unwind the coverfrom the roller shaft thereby resealably engaging the cover with thetray.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of theinvention will be apparent from the following more particulardescription of the preferred embodiments of the invention, asillustrated in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary laser imaging machine configured for use witha resealable cartridge, and suitable for incorporation of an opening andclosing system in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows an isometric view of a prior art resealable cartridge withthe cover removed.

FIG. 3 shows a top view of the prior art cartridge of FIG. 2 with aportion of the cover removed.

FIG. 4 shows a side view of the cartridge shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 shows an isometric view of the opening and closing system of thepresent invention for opening and closing the cartridge shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 shows a view of a roller shaft forming part of the opening andclosing system of FIG. 5, in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows a side view of the opening and closing system shown in FIG.5

FIG. 8 shows a rear partial view of the spring assembly which provides asealing force.

FIGS. 9a and 9 b show the formation of a wrinkle in the cover which canoccur during operation of the opening and closing system of the presentinvention.

FIG. 10 shows a bottom isometric view of the opening and closing systemshown in FIG. 5 showing the constant force springs used toreduce/eliminate wrinkles.

FIG. 11 shows an isometric view of the opening and closing system of thepresent invention disposed within a drawer of a laser imaging machineillustrating a first loading arrangement.

FIG. 12 shows an isometric view of the opening and closing system of thepresent invention illustrating a second loading arrangement.

FIG. 13 shows a partial side view of the opening and closing system ofthe present invention in a first position referred to as the homeposition.

FIG. 14 shows a partial side view of the opening and closing system ofthe present invention in a second position referred to as the cam liftposition.

FIG. 15 shows a partial side view of the opening and closing system ofthe present invention in a third position referred to as the cam dwellposition.

FIG. 16 shows a partial side view of the opening and closing system ofthe present invention in a fourth position referred to as the coverengaged position.

FIG. 17 shows a partial side view of the opening and closing system ofthe present invention in a fifth position referred to as the openposition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following is a detailed description of the preferred embodiments ofthe invention, reference being made to the drawings in which the samereference numerals identify the same elements of structure in each ofthe several figures.

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary laser imaging machine 10 configured for usewith a resealable cartridge, and suitable for incorporation of anopening and closing system in accordance with the present invention.Machine 10 can include a hinged loading door 14 into which a resealablecartridge can be loaded for imaging operations. Other suitable laserimaging machines can employ a loading drawer that slides out to receivethe cartridge. Other loading arrangements may be known to those skilledin the art.

The cartridge opening/closing system of the present invention is mountedwithin laser imaging machine 10. After the cartridge has been loadedwithin laser imaging machine 10, the door/drawer is closed to seal thecartridge within the light-tight environment of laser imaging machine10. The opening/closing system then operates to open the cartridge topermit access to the photosensitive media in the cartridge. Thephotosensitive media is withdrawn from the opened cartridge by imaginghardware associated with machine 10. The media is then imaged by othersubsystems of laser imaging machine 10. The opening/closing system isalso actuated to close the cartridge before the cartridge is removedfrom laser imaging machine 10. Since the cartridge is resealable, it canbe removed from machine 10 before all the photosensitive media withinthe cartridge has been exposed. Cartridges with different sizes or typesof media can therefore be conveniently loaded/reloaded into and removedfrom laser imaging machine 10 as needed, and without wasting any unusedmedia remaining within the cartridge.

Laser imaging machine 10 may include more than one drawer so that morethan one cartridge can be loaded into machine 10. This may be desirableif the cartridges contain photosensitive media of different sizes. Assuch, it is noted that the opening/closing system needs to be configuredto operate with cartridges containing photosensitive media of differentsizes

An exemplary resealable cartridge 12 is described with reference toFIGS. 2 through 4. Other configurations may be known to those skilled inthe art. Since resealable cartridges are well-known, the cartridge willnot be discussed in detail.

Cartridge 12 includes an optically opaque media-receiving tray 20 and aflexible, optically opaque cover 22. The flexible cover 22 can beresealably mounted to tray 20 by an adhesive material 24, by means ofmagnetics, or other method known to those skilled in the art. For caseof explanation of the present invention, cover 22 is mounted by means ofadhesive 24. Tray 20 can be molded in one piece from a photo-inert,polyolefin material. Tray 20 includes a bottom wall 26, a front wall28A, a rear wall 28B, opposite side walls 28C, 28D, and a lip havingsections 30A-30D extending outward from upper edges of walls 28A-28D,respectively, around a periphery of the tray. Adhesive material 24 maytake the form of segments of adhesive disposed at intervals along lipsections 30A-30D, or a one-piece adhesive gasket applied to the lip.Side walls 28A-28D and lip sections 30A-30D define an access opening.For laser imaging, the access opening may contain one or morephotosensitive media 31, as shown in FIG. 2. Photosensitive media 31 maycomprise, for example, x-ray film, photosensitive film, photosensitivepaper, or other photosensitive substrate materials for imagingapplications.

Tray 20 includes inward projecting guides 32 formed on walls 28A-28D forproperly positioning photosensitive media 31. Feet 34A-34D are formedinto and extend downward from bottom wall 26 to support cartridge 12within base 18 of the opening and closing mechanism in accordance withthe present invention. A media presence monitoring well 35 also isformed in bottom wall 26. A media presence monitoring sensor associatedwith laser imaging machine 10 extends into well 35 below the surface ofbottom wall 26 when all media have been removed from tray 20, therebydetecting that tray 20 is empty. Bottom wall 26 further includespositioning recesses 36, molded into feet 34A and 34B, that extendupward into tray 20 from the exterior surface of the bottom wall.

Feet 34A, 34B formed adjacent front wall 28A include ramp surfaces 38that slope downward from the lower edge of the front wall, as shown inFIG. 4. Ramp surfaces 38 can be employed to guide feet 34A, 34B overoptional locator pins formed in base 18 when cartridge 12 is loaded intothe base. Tray 20 further includes a recessed area 40 formed in bottomwall 26 that provides a platform on the exterior surface of the bottomwall. The platform formed by recessed area 40 can carry bar code indiciafor identifying the type of media contained in cartridge 12.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, a series of evenly spaced cut-outsections 42 are formed in lip section 30A over the top edge of frontwall 28A. Cut-out sections 42 define a series of spaced projections 44on lip section 30A. A forward area 45 of cover 22 includes a series ofelongated apertures 46 aligned with cut-out sections 42 of tray 20 whenthe cover is disposed over the tray. The cut-out sections 42 cooperatewith apertures 46 to facilitate engagement of cover 22 by the openingand closing mechanism of the present invention.

Cover 22 is preferably a flexible, photo-inert and optically opaquesheet of material sized to extend over the media access opening of tray20 and mate with lip sections 30A-30D. The cover 22 comprises a materialthat is preferably stretchable enough to avoid pulling away from tray 20when cartridge 12 is flexed, but rigid enough to resist excessivestretching during opening and closing operations. Cover 22 may alsoinclude a reinforcing strip (not shown) at a forward area 45 to increasethe rigidity of the cover in the area above cut-out sections 42 of tray20. The reinforcing strip is intended to resist tearing of apertures 46during engagement with the opening and closing mechanism. Thestretch-resistant material and reinforcing strip of cover 22 aredesigned to resist the damage caused by certain forces applied to thecover during the opening and closing operations, and thus address theeffects of such forces in an effort to extend cartridge life.

The opening and closing system of the present invention is intended toreduce/eliminate the application of the forces responsible forstretching cover 22 and tearing apertures 46, thereby addressing thesource of such problems. An exemplary embodiment of the opening andclosing mechanism of the present invention will now be described indetail with reference to FIGS. 5-17.

Referring first to FIGS. 5-8, an opening and closing system 50 includesa base 52 for receiving and supporting resealable cartridge 12, a rollershaft 54 including means for engaging cover 22, a motor 56 for rotatingroller shaft 54, and a carriage 58, slidably coupled to base 52, forsupporting roller shaft 54 and motor 56. Carriage 58 can be mounted ondrawer slides.

Generally, the purpose of opening and closing system 50 is to open andclose cover 22 of cartridge 12. Roller shaft 54 rotates and spins alongthe front edge cartridge 12 until projections/teeth on roller shaft 54engage apertures 46 in cover 22. Once engaged, roller shaft 54 rolls uponto the front and back walls of cartridge 12 (moving along the lengthof cartridge 12 in the direction shown by arrow A in FIG. 5), therebywrapping cover 22 around/about the diameter of roller shaft 54. As themotorized roller shaft turns, it moves towards the center of cartridge12 until cover 22 is open sufficiently to allow a mechanism or otherdevice to remove the media from cartridge 12. Operating roller shaft 54in the opposite direction reseals cartridge 12.

More particularly, a rotation of roller shaft 54 in the first (opening)direction generates tractional force between roller shaft 54 andcartridge 12. A bias means applies a normal force that biases rollershaft 54 downward against cartridge 12. The carriage includes means forsupporting roller shaft 54 and motor 56, as will be described. Thetractional force results in a translational force that drives thecarriage to slide along tray 20. A tractional force generated betweenroller shaft 54 and cover 22 during the closing operation similarlyprovides a translational force that drives the carriage to slide.

Roller shaft 54 is an elongated member, and can be formed of steel.

A cut-out, winding section 78, extending along a central longitudinalaxis, includes means for engaging apertures 46 in cover 22 to open andclose cartridge 12. As shown in FIG. 6, winding section 78 has asubstantially semi-circular cross-section. In the embodiment shown, thecover engaging means of roller shaft 54 comprises an elongated,rectangular plate 80 having a plurality of indentations 82 definingcurved, tooth-like projections 84. Projections 84 preferably are sizedand spaced to fit within apertures 46 of cover 22, as well as cut-outsections 42, when roller shaft 54 is rotated downward toward base 18.Plate 80 and projections 84 may be constructed by stamping them out of apiece of sheet metal, and fastening them with screws 86 to a portion ofwinding section 78 that has been cut down to approximately a halfdiameter. The radius of curvature of projections 84 can be achieved bybending the plate 80 about a metal form.

A spring assembly 60 is disposed at each end of roller shaft 54 toprovide a sealing force. As best shown in FIG. 8, spring assembly 60includes a pinch roller 62 attached to a bracket 64 that pivots about ashaft 66 attached to a roller link 68. A torsion spring 70 provides atorque to apply a suitable sealing force. In one embodiment of thepresent invention, a torque of 0.66 inch-pounds has been found to applya suitable sealing force of 1.4 pounds.

Also disposed at each end of roller shaft 54 is a cam 72 which controlsthe motion of roller shaft 54 and provides indexing of roller shaft 54during engagement with cover 22. A pair of torsion springs 74 disposedat each end of roller shaft 54 direct roller shaft 54 along a camsurface 76 of a pair of cam nests 77, as will be more particularlydescribed below. Pivot mechanism 75 links torsion springs 74 with rollershaft 54. Motor 56 can be a single dc motor.

High roller pressure and wrinkles in cover 20 can limit the usable lifeof cartridge 12. High roller pressure displaces the cover adhesive,resulting in poor sealing characteristics, when the cartridge is openfor extended periods (for example, overnight). Wrinkles occur whenopening and closing system 50 is closing cartridge 12. FIGS. 9a and 9 billustrate a factor that leads to wrinkles. FIG. 9a shows roller shaft54 operating (moving in opening direction D) to open cover 22 wherein aportion 79′ of cover 22 does not conform roller shaft 54. FIG. 9b showsroller shaft 54 during the subsequent closing operation (moving inclosing direction E) wherein the non-conforming portion 79′ of cover 22forms on the cartridge as a wrinkle 79″.

It was determined that adding a force in the closing direction (i.e.,during the closing operation) keeps cover 22 tight/taught against rollershaft 54, thereby eliminating non-conforming cover portions and hencethe wrinkles. Referring to FIG. 10, a pair of constant force springs 81supplies a force sufficient to eliminate the wrinkles without pullingcover 22 closed. The constant force springs pull carriage 12 toward aframe 83 in the closing direction. This addition force eliminates theneed for a high sealing force (high forces have been used on previousopening and closing systems), and eliminates the adhesive displacement.A force of 0.50 pounds for each constant force spring (1.00 poundstotal) has been found to be suitable.

Referring now to FIG. 11, in operation, loading drawer/door 14 is openedand cartridge 12 is loaded into laser imaging machine 10 by slidingcartridge 12 onto base 52 in a direction shown by arrow B. One or moreslides 85 can be employed to promote the loading/unloading of cartridge12 in drawer/door 14. Note the positioning of opening and closing 50relative to the direction of loading of cartridge 12. That is, cartridge12 is loaded in a direction toward opening and closing system 50. Assuch, a user is not exposed to projections 84 when loading.

FIG. 11 provides an alternative loading arrangement. In thisarrangement, cartridge 12 is loaded into laser imaging machine 10 bysliding cartridge 12 onto base 52 in a direction shown by arrow C alongslide 85. With this loading arrangement, cartridge 12 is loaded in adirection along (i.e., parallel to) the axis of roller shaft 54. Openingand closing system 50 is disposed such that it does not interfere withthe loading of cartridge 12.

One or more sensors can be employed to verify the cartridge condition(e.g., presence, absence, and/or proper orientation) of cartridge 12within laser imaging machine 10. These sensors can be mechanical orelectrical sensors, as is well known to those skilled in the art. Forexample, referring to FIG. 12, three sensors can be employed S1, S2, S3,with the sensors being mechanical members. With three sensors, threesituations can be determined: the absence of the cartridge, the correctplacement of the cartridge, and the incorrect placement of thecartridge. The situation can be determined by the state of each sensor.For example, the following can be determined:

Sensor State Cartridge Placement Front Middle Back None Present BlockedBlocked Blocked Correct Unblocked Blocked Unblocked Incorrect Any ExceptAbove

Other relationships may be known to those skilled in the art.

Referring again to FIG. 11, one sensor S4 is employed to verify thepresence and/or proper orientation of cartridge 12. With the arrangementof FIG. 11, the following cartridge conditions can be determined:

Cartridge Placement Sensor State None Present Blocked Correct Unblocked

Opening and closing system 50 can operate using one dc motor (i.e.,motor 56) and two position sensors. FIGS. 13-17 illustrate the operationof opening and closing system 50 to open and close cartridge 12.

FIG. 13 shows a partial side view of opening and closing system 50 in afirst position, referred to as the home position. This is the positionof opening and closing system 50 when cartridge 12 is loaded in laserimaging machine 10. In this position, the components of system 50 arenot disposed within the loading area of cartridge 12. In this position,cams 72 actuate a sensor 88 indicating that roller shaft 54 is in thehome position. In this position, roller shaft 54 is disposed away fromthe perforated edge 89 of cover 22, and projections 84 are disposeddownward, toward base 52.

FIG. 14 shows a partial side view of opening and closing system 50 in asecond position, referred to as the cam lift position. In this position,each cam 72 interfaces with a surface on cam nest 77 to lift/raiseroller shaft 54 towards perforated edge 89 of cover 22.

FIG. 15 shows a partial side view of opening and closing system 50 in athird position, referred to as the cam dwell position. In this position,each cam 72 interfaces with a surface on cam nest 77 in a dwell state.

FIG. 16 shows a partial side view of opening and closing system 50 in afourth position, referred to as the cover engaged position. In thisposition, roller shaft 54 continues to rotate and projections 84 engageapertures 46 of cover 22.

FIG. 17 shows a partial side view of opening and closing system 50 in afifth position, referred to as the open position. In this position, anend-of-travel sensor 91 is blocked to indicate the end of the travel foropening and closing system 50.

Reversing the positions shown in FIGS. 13-17 effects closure/sealing ofcover 22 on cartridge 12.

The invention has been described in detail with particular reference toa presently preferred embodiment, but it will be understood thatvariations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scopeof the invention. The presently disclosed embodiments are thereforeconsidered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. Thescope of the invention is indicated by the appended claims, and allchanges that come within the meaning and range of equivalents thereofare intended to be embraced therein.

PARTS LIST 10 laser imaging machine 12 resealable cartridge 14 hingeloading door 18 base 20 media receiving tray 22 flexible cover 24adhesive material 26 bottom wall 28A front wall 28B rear wall 28C-28Dopposite side walls 30A-30D lip sections 31 photosensitive media 32projecting guides 34A-34D feet 35 monitoring well 36 positioningrecesses 38 ramp surfaces 40 recessed area 42 cut out sections 44 spacedprojections 45 forward area 46 elongated apertures 50 opening/closingsystem 52 base 54 roller shaft 56 motor 58 carriage 60 spring assembly62 pinch roller 64 bracket 66 shaft 68 roller link 70 torsion spring 72cam 74 torsion springs 75 pivot mechanism 76 cam surface 77 cam nests 78winding section 79′ portion 79″ wrinkle 80 rectangular plate 81 springs82 indentations 83 frame 84 projections 85 slides 86 screws 88 sensor 89perforated edge 91 end of travel sensor S1-S4 sensors

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for opening and closing a resealablecartridge having a tray and a flexible cover resealably engaged with thetray, the system comprising: a base for receiving the tray of thecartridge; a roller shaft having means for engaging the cover of thecartridge; positioning means including a cam and operably connected tothe roller shaft to affect positioning of the roller shaft relative tothe cartridge between a first position wherein the roller shaft isspaced from the cartridge and a second position different from the firstposition wherein the roller shaft is not spaced from the cartridge; anda motor for rotating the roller shaft in a first rotational direction towind the cover about the roller shaft, thereby removing at least aportion of the cover from the tray, and for rotating the roller shaft ina second rotational direction to unwind the cover from the roller shaftthereby resealably engaging the cover with the tray.
 2. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the positioning means further includes a cam nest. 3.The system of claim 2, wherein the system further includes at least onetorsion spring biasing the cam toward the cam nest.
 4. The system ofclaim 1, further comprising at least one constant force spring biasingthe roller shaft toward the cartridge when the roller shaft is rotatingin the second rotational direction.
 5. The system of claim 1, furthercomprising: first sensing means positioned at a first location forsensing a first position of the roller shaft wherein the roller shaft isspaced from the cartridge; and second sensing means positioned at asecond location different than the first location for sensing a secondposition of the roller shaft indicative of the removal of at least aportion of the cover from the tray.
 6. The system of claim 5, whereinthe first and second sensing means are activated by the opening andclosing system.
 7. A system for opening and closing a resealablecartridge having a tray and a flexible cover resealably engaged with thetray, the system comprising: a base for receiving the tray of thecartridge; a roller shaft having means for engaging the cover of thecartridge; a motor for rotating the roller shaft in a first rotationaldirection to wind the cover about the roller shaft, thereby removing atleast a portion of the cover from the tray, and for rotating the rollershaft in a second rotational direction to unwind the cover from theroller shaft thereby resealably engaging the cover with the tray; andpositioning means including a cam and operably connected to the rollershaft to affect positioning of the roller shaft, the positioning meanspositioning the roller shaft in a first position spaced from thecartridge and disposed intermediate the base and the cover.
 8. Thesystem of claim 7, wherein the cam is operably connected to the rollershaft.